New Dexa scanning service to help detect osteoporosis
Farnham Medical Practice has recently added a Dexa scanner to its services to help with the early detection of osteoporosis, a bone disease that develops when the structure and strength of bone deteriorates. This in turn can lead to an increased risk of fractures occurring.
Dr. Thomas Prior says “osteoporosis is a silent painless condition that often initially presents when someone sustains a fracture. In Farnham Medical Practice we recently decided to set up a bone health programme.”
According to Dr. Prior osteoporosis is much more prevalent than most people realise. It is most common in post-menopausal women. However, it is recognised also to affect 1 in 5 men.
There are approximately 300, 000 people living with this condition in Ireland today.
Unfortunately when fractures occur they can often have a debilitating impact on patients with increased morbidity and mortality well recognised as well as significant healthcare costs.
“Osteoporosis also has significant impact on healthcare services especially in terms of acute hospital bed usage which is required to deal with the high number of fractures in our aging population” he adds.
He also states that preventative measures and regular screening can reduce this impact significantly.
A Dexa scan is a very straightforward procedure taking approximately 20 minutes with results readily available shortly thereafter.
There are a range of treatments for the condition according to Dr Prior.
“It’s a lifelong condition, it’s a chronic disease but it can be managed and some of the damage can be reversed. If we can detect it early we can take a holistic approach to treatment. There are a combination of pharmacological, physical therapy and dietetic options.
“When it comes to diet our Calcium and Vitamin D levels can be low in certain age groups so we try to increase these. We also encourage more exercise, moderate alcohol intake, stopping smoking and reviewing medication that can have an impact on the condition developing such as steroids.”
The practice has also recently developed a new service focusing on women’s health Dr. Prior explains.
“A number of patients attending for Dexa scans, as well as being conscious of their bone health status often report a variety of symptoms that develop in that stage of life.
“It is led by Dr. Tayyiba Rifai who has extensive experience managing menopausal and other gynaecological issues including infertility.
Dr. Tayyiba Rifai has also developed an onsite ultrasound service to further aid in the diagnosis and treatment of a variety of gynaecological conditions.
“Appointments are available via GP referral. We take referrals from all over the north midlands. It runs for two and half days per week and at the present time is proving very popular with patients,” says Dr Prior.
On a broader level the clinic offers a range of services across all areas of patient care according to Dr. Prior.
“Over time we have expanded our services significantly to include on site audiology and counselling. Recently we teamed up with the Mater Private Hospital to develop a visiting cardiology service. A cardiologist now attends twice monthly which provides enhanced local access for these patients.”
He says that at Connolly Street Primary Care Centre: “We aim to provide as many services as possible under one roof. We also work with HSE Primary Care Team colleagues who provide services such as Public Health nursing, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy as well as Dietetics and a range of other clinics.”
Dr Prior concludes by saying: “As the tenth anniversary approaches of our presence in Connolly Street Primary Care Centre our aim is to continue to develop our services in the future to allow patients, as much as possible to access healthcare in their own locality.”
MEET THE TEAM
Dr Thomas Prior
MB, DMH, DFFP, DRCOG, LFOM, MRCGP
Dr. Thomas Prior, the lead GP principal graduated from Trinity College Dublin in 1990. He completed general practice training in the United Kingdom. He is a trainer with the North Eastern Regional Training Programme in General Practice .Doctors receive part of their training in Farnham Medical Practice to gain experience to become the general practitioners of the future. This emphasis on continuing education and training is essential Dr. Prior believes to help maintain high standards and keep up to date with developments in modern general practice.
His areas of special interest also include Practice Management, Occupational Health and Male Health Care. Dr. Prior is also the visiting Medical Officer to the local Hospice.
Dr Zubair Memon
MBBS, MICGP, MRCSI
ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS
Dr. Memon graduated from Liaquat University, Pakistan in 1997. His areas of Special Interest include Minor Surgery, Joint Injections and Sports Injuries.
Dr Mairead Beirne
MB BCH BAO MICGP, HDIP DERM, DCH, DOWH, DCP, IFPC
Dr. Beirne graduated from University College Dublin in 2004. She completed the GP Training Programme in the NE area. Her Special Interests are Dermatology, Family Planning and Paediatrics.
Dr Aine Sullivan
BSC. MB BCH BAO H.D.E D.OBS DCH MRCGP
Dr. Sullivan graduated from University College Galway in 1973. Her Special Interests are Management of Menopause, Older Women’s Health Issues, Medical uses of Hypnosis.
Dr Tayyiba Rifai
New Well Woman Clinic
Dr Riafi graduated from Army Medical College, Pakistan, in 1992 and completed her postgraduate training in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at university hospital in Pakistan. She has almost two decades of experience in women’s health. Her special interest is in health promotion for women through prevention and screening. The Well Woman Clinic provides family planning, pre-pregnancy counselling, STI screening, specialised consultations for gynaecological problems including genital prolapse, urinary incontinence, infertility workup, menopause and HRT. She can communicate in English, Urdu, Punjabi, Hindi and Arabic.
Dr Hafiz Hussein
Consultant Cardiologist
Dr Hussein holds clinics on the second and fourth Monday each month in association with the Mater Private Hospital. He has a wealth of experience covering all aspects of general cardiology. His cardiology training was spent in various Cork and Dublin hospitals before he completed a fellowship in Beaumont Hospital. He specialises in interventional cardiology; PCI, coronary physiology, coronary imaging, chronic total occlusions and structural cardiology, in particular left appendage occlusion. He has also participated in several trials and registries during his tenure as Fellow and Consultant.
PRACTICE MANAGER:
Yvonne Prior
BA (Hons) MSW MBA
PRACTICE NURSES
Ann Blessing
Margaet Geoghegan
Louise Gaffney
Martina Conaty
PRACTICE RECEPTIONISTS
Olive Tierney
Geraldine O’Reilly
Áine Brady
Teresa Barr
Martina O’Rourke
Christine Comiskey